I usually look at feedback to see if there is change in sound stage before buying. I got 2 velor ear pads 2 years back and they made the sound even harsher. Bass died in half in my old headphones. And the plastic leather coating deteriorates into small pieces after sometime just like in all other ear pads.

China post & Singapore post will use Indian post for final delivery. If the packet size is small, high chances of get hitting the customs. 10-15 days for delivery.
Fedex will surely handover product to customs for clearance. High chances of addition of custom duty + high handling fee by fedex itself. 1 week for delivery.
I have no Idea about Aliexpress premium. You must ask the seller.

Topping seemed to be a better value than SMSL. The equivalent SMSL, m8, apparently has only one 9038 (not sure how it will translate into real results). It looks like the front screen cannot be dimmed.

Anyway Topping decided to announce D70 the day I ordered I have always wanted to own a chinese AK44xx dac, so that is good news. SMSL Sanskrit 10th looks cheap and M9 is too expensive (and I don't like built in head amps, esp on desktop DACs).

EDIT: Just checked the measurements. M8 and D50 measurements are similar.

Well-Known Member

Topping seemed to be a better value than SMSL. The equivalent SMSL, m8, apparently has only one 9038 (not sure how it will translate into real results). It looks like the front screen cannot be dimmed.

Anyway Topping decided to announce D70 the day I ordered I have always wanted to own a chinese AK44xx dac, so that is good news. SMSL Sanskrit 10th looks cheap and M9 is too expensive (and I don't like built in head amps, esp on desktop DACs).

EDIT: Just checked the measurements. M8 and D50 measurements are similar.

As you state M8A got single 9038Q2M not dual so instead of investing in that I got this https://www.khadas.com/tone which even less than half of M8A and only missing thing 'optical in' and of course power from USB.